Decoding the 5' nucleotide bias of PIWI-interacting RNAs

Stein, C. B., Genzor, P., Mitra, S., Elchert, A. R., Ipsaro, J. J., Benner, L., Sobti, S., Su, Y., Hammell, M., Joshua-Tor, L., Haase, A. D. (February 2019) Decoding the 5' nucleotide bias of PIWI-interacting RNAs. Nat Commun, 10 (1). p. 828. ISSN 2041-1723

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Abstract

PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are at the center of a small RNA-based immune system that defends genomes against the deleterious action of mobile genetic elements (transposons). PiRNAs are highly variable in sequence with extensive targeting potential. Their diversity is restricted by their preference to start with a Uridine (U) at the 5' most position (1U-bias), a bias that remains poorly understood. Here we uncover that the 1U-bias of Piwi-piRNAs is established by consecutive discrimination against all nucleotides but U, first during piRNA biogenesis and then upon interaction with Piwi's specificity loop. Sequence preferences during piRNA processing also restrict U across the piRNA body with the potential to directly impact target recognition. Overall, the uncovered signatures could modulate specificity and efficacy of piRNA-mediated transposon restriction, and provide a substrate for purifying selection in the ongoing arms race between genomes and their mobile parasites.

Item Type: Paper
Subjects: bioinformatics
bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing > DNA, RNA structure, function, modification
organism description > animal > insect > Drosophila
bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing
bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics
bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing > protein structure, function, modification > protein types > Piwi protein
bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing > protein structure, function, modification
organism description > animal
bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing > protein structure, function, modification > protein types > argonaute proteins
organism description > animal > insect
bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing > protein structure, function, modification > protein types
bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing > DNA, RNA structure, function, modification > transposons
CSHL Authors:
Communities: CSHL labs > Hammell M. lab
CSHL labs > Joshua-Tor lab
CSHL Cancer Center Program > Cancer Genetics and Genomics Program
CSHL Cancer Center Program > Gene Regulation and Inheritance Program
Depositing User: Matthew Dunn
Date: 19 February 2019
Date Deposited: 22 Feb 2019 21:09
Last Modified: 02 Feb 2024 20:59
PMCID: PMC6381166
Related URLs:
URI: https://repository.cshl.edu/id/eprint/37712

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